Two tons of fish poisoned by factory waste in Bogor

BOGOR (JP): About two tons of fish farmed by Pasir Jambu villagers, North Bogor, have died after being poisoned by waste water from nearby textile factory PT JN Loundry on Jl. Pemuda Baru in Kampung Kedung Halang, North Bogor.

The polluted water runs into the Ciparigi River, which is used by locals as the source of water for their fish ponds, as well as by a nearby cassava processing factory.

Dozens of protesters thronged the company on Friday, demanding the management not to dump any more waste into the river and at the same time be financially responsible for their losses.

"Many of the farmers and locals in the village secured a government-sponsored fund through the social safety net program (JPS) to establish fish ponds or cassava processing factories.

"We all take the water from the Ciparigi River," said Dama Ansor, a local leader.

In response to the villagers' protests, the company's director, identified only as Andrian, admitted that the waste from the factory had not been properly filtered.

Andrian said the waste processing machines as well as the waste tank itself were broken.

"We will soon fix them and hopefully it will solve the problem," he said.

"If the locals are demanding that we pay for the losses, we will do so. I feel glad if they want us to reimburse the money," he added.

Andrian also said that the company normally releases several goldfish into the river as a sign that the water was safe.

Local residents, however, feel that it is impossible for the company to reimburse all their losses.

"We have repeatedly protested about this matter, but they have never listened. If we really want them to pay for our damages, I don't think they can afford to pay," Dama said.

Dama added that the waste water was blue and had started to infiltrate the ground water villagers used for their daily needs.

Another local, named Romli, 50, said on Saturday how the waste had caused a foul odor and also changed the color of the river.

"The waste is mixed with human feces. So imagine how polluted the river is.

"The smell usually starts at 4 a.m., and I have no way of avoiding it but to leave the house because the dump site is just located behind my house," Romli said. (21/edt)